lives because you do no more warm your hearts with these thoughts Gentlemen leave off the reading vain Books and Romances they that have found the saving effects of God's Love will do so Ephes. 3.18 19. That ye may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and heighth and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge This will be for our comfort Rom. 5.5 Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost given to us It will quicken us to holiness if ever we feel the love of God 2 Cor. 5.14 The love of Christ constraineth us 3. It informeth us of the Harmony between the Churches Between the Old Testament Church and the Christian Church John 8.56 Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it and was glad Luke 10.24 I tell you that many Prophets and Kings have desired to see those things which ye see and have not seen them and to hear those things which ye hear and have not heard them The times of the Gospel would to them have been a sweet sight they ardently desired to see Christ in the flesh And between the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant they join together in admiring Christ. Saints and Angels have one Beatitude beholding the face of God therefore they join in one duty looking on Christ. VVe shall one day meet in one Assembly Heb. 12.23 VVe hope to be Luke 20.36 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Like the Angels VVe should do as they do if we would be as they be 4. That Creatures busie their thoughts as they are affected Base Spirits are busied about light matters but Eagles will not stoop to catch Flies nor Angels employ themselves in inferiour and mean speculations but they have a great delight in acknowledging the manifold VVisdom of God in the Work of Redemption Great Spirits are taken up with things of great weight and importance Acts 17.11 These were more noble then they of Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so whilst others quench their Souls in sensualities they are for the Divine Study these were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is not meant of Natural Nobility but Spiritual True Nobility and Excellency which lieth in a care of Salvation not in wearing fine Cloaths or enjoying plentiful Revenues or good Descent but in the study of Christ not in greatness of Birth but Diligence in searching out the Mysteries of Salvation that is Nobility indeed not to enslave our selves to the Opinions of Men and their Customs 1 Cor. 7.23 Ye are bought with a price be not ye the servants of Men. Not to wallow in Earthly Pleasure but seek things above Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Phil. 3.20 For our conversation is in Heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord Iesus Christ. Not to be overcome by a Man's Passions and Corrupt Affections Prov. 16.32 He that is slow to anger is better then the Mighty and he that ruleth his own Spirit then he that taketh a City Prov. 25.28 He that hath no rule over his own Spirit is like a City that is broken down and without Walls These Noble Spirits will not yield to Lusts. Vse 2. To Reprove 1. The slightness of Men and to confound us with shame that we do no more take care to look after this Happiness that we do so unwillingly think of these things or set a-part our selves for the study of them Shall we slight these things which Angels wonder at Some will scarce vouchsafe to look into these things scarce think or talk seriously of them whilst their Minds and Discourses are taken up with baubles and trifles Angels are more noble Beings nearer to God they are not the parties interested we have particular benefit by them Matt. 22.5 But they made light of it They would not let it enter into their care and thoughts We are bound to this under pain of Damnation 't is not a thing arbitrary Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Bewail your stupidness that you have so slight a sense of these things Meditation I know is painful work it is very difficult but the sweetness of the Argument should perswade us to it 2. It reproveth that satiety that is apt to creep upon us Why should we be weary of searching into these Holy Mysteries What is the reason of this satiety First We search for them out of curiosity or content our selves with meer speculations which is an Adulterous love to truth not to get an interest in them John 4.10 If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee Give me to drink thou wouldest have asked and he would have given thee living water Secondly We do not look upon them with the eye of Faith Ephes. 3.17 18. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and heighth And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge Our embracing by Faith is a good means to make this study effectual Thirdly They content themselves with a superficial view but do not make an accurate inspection We do not know it so as to stand wondering at it in all its dimensions Ephes. 3.18 That ye may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and heighth Breadth whereby it is extended to Men of all Ages and Ranks Matth. 28.20 Lo I am with you always to the end of the World 1 Tim. 2.4 Who will have all Men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth Length whereby it reacheth from eternity to eternity Psal. 103.17 The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting Depth It stoopeth to our lowest misery Christ delivered us from the depths of misery and sin Psal. 86.13 Thou hast delivered my Soul from the lowest Hell And there is Heighth in it whereby it reacheth to Heavenly Joys and Happiness John 14.3 If I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am there ye may be also Study those several respects and ways wherein it is manifested till you are ravished with the thoughts of it draw solid comfort hope and quickening from it Psal. 39.3 While I was musing the fire burned 4. It reproves those that onely study it but do not get an interest and experience of the comfort of it otherwise it is a cold story 1 Pet. 2.3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious There is Christ revealed to us and Christ revealed in us then is there sweetness in these truths Gal. 1.16 It pleased God to
Intercession for us By his Merit our Right to Heaven is purchased and by his Intercession it is maintained for us SERMON XIV TITUS II. 13 That Blessed Hope c. Doct. II. THE Hope of Christians is a blessed Hope Hope is here put for the thing hoped for as Col. 1.5 For the Hope that is laid up for you in Heaven Where Hope is put for the Object of Hope Now this Matter or Object of our Hope is sometimes called Life sometimes Glory sometimes Joy and Pleasure It is a Life that never shall be quenched or put out Iude 21. Looking for the Mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ unto eternal Life It is a Glory that is Eternal for Duration 2 Cor. 4.17 it is called a far more exceeding and Eternal Weight of Glory for the measure of it it is above our Conceit and Expression as much as a Creature can bear It is Joy and Pleasure without Mixture and without End Psal. 16.11 In thy Presence is Fulness of Ioy at thy right Hand there are Pleasures for evermore Now this Hope is said to be blessed because it puts us into the Fruition of absolute Blessedness We cannot conceive of it now to the full when we come to injoy it we shall find it above all that ever we could conceive or hear of it As much as we see and know of it sheweth it is a blessed thing but we shall understand it best when we hear the great Voice calling us Come up and see But a little to set it before you In Blessedness there must be a Removal of all Evil and a Coacervation and compleat Presence of all that is Good As long as the least Evil continueth a Man is not blessed only he is less miserable If a Man had all things that Heart could wish for what would it avail him as Haman when he wanted Mordecai's Knee Esther 5.13 All this availeth me nothing so long as I see Mordecai the Iew sitting at the King's Gate Ahab had the Kingdom of Israel but yet he fell sick for want of Naboth's Vineyard If a Man were never so well fitted for a Journey a little Gravel in his Shoe would founder him As in Carriages of War though there be a great Train yet if one Peg be missing or out of Order all stoppeth Or in the Body if one Humour be out of Order or one Joint broken it is enough to make us sick or ill at Ease though all the rest be sound and whole so if there be the least Evil a Man cannot be a compleat happy Man Complaining will not suit with Blessedness Now First In the Hope that we look for there is a Removal of all Evil. Evil is twofold either of Sin or of Punishment and in Heaven there is neither Sin nor Misery 1. To begin with Sin that is the worst Evil. Affliction is Evil but it is not Evil in it self but only in our Sense and Feeling if a Man had a Dedolency it is no Pain to a benummed Joint to be scourged But Sin is evil whether we feel it or no but it is worst when we feel it not Certainly that is Evil which separateth from the chiefest Good Affliction doth not separate from God it is a means and an Occasion to make us draw nigh to him many had never been acquainted with God but for their Afflictions but Sin separateth us from God Isa. 59.2 Your Iniquities have separated between you and your God and your Sins have hid his Face from you that he will not hear Let a Man be never so loathsome yet if he be in a State of Grace he is dear to God the Lord taketh Pleasure in him though rough-cast with Ulcers and Sores and thrown into a Prison yet God will kiss him with the Kisses of his Mouth There is nothing so loathsome and odious to God as Sin This grieveth the Saints most Rom. 7.24 O wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from this Body of Death If any Man had Cause to complain of Afflictions Paul had he was often in Perils whipped imprisoned stoned but he doth not cry out When shall I be delivered from these Afflictions O but this Body of Death was worst of all Lusts troubled him more than Scourges and his Captivity to the Law of Sin more than Chains and Prisons This is the Disposition of the Saints they are weary of the World because they are sinning here whilst others are glorifying God not only that they are suffering here whilst others are injoying God A Beast will forsake the Place where he hath neither Meat nor Rest. Carnal Men when they are beaten out of the World have a Fancy to Heaven as a Place of Retreat but that which troubles Godly Men is their Sin Well but in Heaven there is no Sin Eph. 5.27 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without Blemish There is neither Spot nor Wrinkle upon the Face of the glorified Saints Their Faces were once as black as yours but now Christ presenteth them to God as a Proof of the cleansing Virtue of his Blood And how pure and clean they are without Spot or Wrinkle the Apostle's Words that he might present it imply as if Christ did glory and rejoice in their Purity as the Fruits of his Purchase There you are freed from all Sins With much ado we mortify one Lust but Nature recoileth as Ivy in the Wall if you cut it down it breaketh out again It is much here if the Dominion of Sin be taken away there the being of it is abolished in Heaven it is not at all you will displease God no more and are freed from all the immediate and inseparable Consequences of Original Sin detraction in Duty and the like Here is no perfect Love and therefore the Soul cannot be fixed in the Contemplation of God that 's the Reason of wandring Thoughts but there the Heart cleaves to God without stragling In Heaven we shall be freed from Pride which lasts as long as Life therefore called Pride of Life 1 John 2.16 We cannot have a Revelation now but we grow proud of it 2 Cor. 12.7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the Revelations there was given to me a Thorn in the Flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I should be exalted above measure Nor can there be an Influence of Grace but we are apt to be proud of it There is a Worm in Manna but then we are most high and most humble because most holy O Christians is not this a blessed Hope that telleth you of a sinless State of being like Christ in Purity and Holiness 1 Iohn 3.2 Beloved now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is What is it
the World whether Christ should come or no do you think carnal Men would give their Vote this way for Christ's Coming The Voice of corrupt Nature is Depart Iob 22.14 Therefore they say unto God Depart from us for we desire not the knowledg of thy Ways that 's the Language of their Hearts Carnal Men are of the Mind of the Devil when Christ wrought a Miracle in casting out a Devil and discovered somewhat of his Divine Power the Devils were afraid as if he were coming to Judgment already Matth. 8.29 Art thou come hither to torment us before the time The Devil cannot endure to hear of Christ's Coming no more can carnal Men for they are of his Mind If Thieves and Malefactors might have the Liberty to choose whether there should be Assizes yea or no do you think they would look for and long for the Judg's Coming and the Day of his Approach So corrupt Nature hath no Desire of this Day It is the Spirit in the Bride that says Come as soon as the Spirit of Grace works in us there is a Bent and Inclination this way 1 Pet. 1.3 Who hath begotten us again unto a lively Hope Spiritual Desires come from Heaven and thither they tend As soon as the Spirit works Grace in the Heart it looks out this way the Heart is bent thither from whence it receives all it hath as all Creatures love the Place of their Original The great Work of the Spirit is to bring us and Christ together The Spirit comes from the Father and the Son to bring us to the Father by the Son and therefore the Spirit stirs up those holy Groans in us When will he come Then look upon the Graces of a Christian there is Faith Love and Hope 1. Faith The Ground of this Looking is the Promise now Faith stands waiting for the Promise as if it were already begun to be accomplished Look as Rebeka espied Isaac a-far off so Faith espies Christ a-far off Faith is the Evidence of things not seen and looks upon Christ as if he were already on his way and so makes the Soul stand ready to meet and receive him As a loving Wife stands upon the Shoar and looks for the Return of her Husband and the Sight of every Ship makes her to realize by an active and loving Fancy the Sweetness of an Interview So Faith stands waiting for the Coming of Christ and the Approaches he makes towards the Church 2. Love 1 Pet. 1.8 Whom having not seen ye love The Saints love Christ whom they never saw We know Christ by hear-say here in the Church not by Sight he wooes us as Princes use to do by Picture therefore they long for his Appearing Whosoever is a Friend to Christ will find his Heart long for Christ of whom he hath so often heard in the Word and so often tasted in the Supper Love is an Affection of Union it desires to meet the Party loved so is Love to Christ it is not satisfied with the present State but it cries out Come come Why is his Chariot so long a coming It longs to see him whom it hath heard of so often and so much and of whose Sweetness it hath already tasted for this Love is not only kindled by the Knowledg we have of him by hear-say but by Experience Christ first comes in the Heart by Grace and then the Soul having tasted the Sweetness of it longs for another Coming When will he come in the Clouds that we may see him as he is And as Love to Christ so also Love to the Saints enkindles this Desire We have not all our Company here in the World and till we all meet together we shall never be satisfied 3. Hope that is another Grace God sitteth us with Graces as well as Happiness The Lord doth not only provide a glorious Estate for us but Grace to expect it and stirs up Affections in us sutable thereunto As in the privative Part of Salvation Christ doth not only deliver us from the Hurt of Death but from the Bondage and Fear of Death Despair is the Beginning of Hell So in the positive Part of Salvation the Lord doth not only provide Heaven and Happiness for us but Hope that we may look for this Happiness We are begotten again to a lively Hope 1 Pet. 1.3 And to wait for his Son from Heaven 1 Thess. 1.10 Hope was made on purpose for this thing that we expect our full and future Happiness When the Affection of Hope is elsewhere placed and turned to carnal things it is like a Member out of Joint It was made and framed on purpose that we might look for this glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ. 2. Look upon their Relation to Christ. There are two Relations the Scripture usually takes notice of with respect unto the Day of Judgment Christ is our Master and our Husband As he is our Master we must look for him It is the Property of a good Servant to wait for his Master 's Coming Mat. 24.46 Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Here we have only present Maintenance but hereafter we shall receive our Wages Rev. 22.12 Behold I come quickly and my Reward is with me A Servant of God should remember that when Christ comes he will not come empty-handed he is your good and bounteous Master Here you have but an Earnest as when you hire a Man you give him Earnest But now because God would not have our Affections to be servile therefore there is a sweeter Relation we are to look for him not only as a Lord and Master but as an Husband and therefore it is the Bride that saith Come Rev. 22.17 Here we are only contracted to Christ he hath pass'd his Promise to us but the Day of Judgment is the Day of solemn Espousals Hos. 2.19 I will betroth thee unto me for ever Here in the Covenant of Grace Christ doth pass a Promise to the Church here he comes to give us a Pledg and take a Pledg from us As Tertullian saith Christ took from us the Token and Pledg of our Flesh and is gone to Heaven to make all things ready and he hath left with us the Token of his own Spirit that so we might long for the time when he shall come again for the Consummation of this happy and glorious Marriage that is between him and us We are to wait for Glory as a Servant for his Master and as a Bride or Virgin betrothed doth wait for the Coming of him that hath promised Marriage to her 3. Look upon a Christian's Privileges which we shall then enjoy and certainly Christians must needs desire Christ's Coming The Day of Judgment is the Day of Manifestation the Day of Perfection the Day of Congregation and the Day of Glorification 1. It is called a Day of Manifestation of the Sons of God Rom. 8.19 The earnest Expectation of the Creature waiteth for the Manifestation of
the Sons of God All now is under a Vail your Christ your Life your Glory is hid Our Persons are hid under Obscurity and Abasement Col. 3.3 4. Your Life is hid with Christ in God but when Christ who is our Life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in Glory Look as Moses told those Rebels when they would level the Officers of the Church Numb 16.5 To Morrow the Lord will shew who are his So when once the Night of Death is past over to Morrow when we awake out of the Dust of the Grave then Christ the natural Son will appear in all his Royalty and Glory as the great God and Saviour of the World and then also the adopted Sons shall be manifested we shall put on our best Robes and be apparell'd with Glory even as Christ is In Winter the Tree appears not what it is the Life and Sap is hid in the Root but when Summer comes all is discovered So now a Christian he is under a Vail but in this great Day all shall be manifested 2. It is a Day of Perfection Every thing tends to its perfect State and so doth Grace We see the little Seed that lies under Ground breaks through the Clods and works its way farther because it is not come to the Flower and Perfection So Grace still tends and longs for Perfection then we shall have perfect Holiness and perfect Freedom Christ to the glorified Saints will be a perfect Saviour Death which is a Fruit of Sin is still continued upon the Body therefore Christ is but a Saviour in part to the Spirits of just Men made perfect but then the Body and Soul shall be united and perfectly glorified that we might praise God in the Heavens Christ's Coming is to make an End of his Redemption of what he hath begun At first he came to redeem our Souls and break the Power of Sin but then he comes to redeem our Bodies from the Hand of the Grave and from the Power of Corruption the one is done by Humiliation and Abasement the other by Power The Scripture speaks as if all our Privileges in Christ were imperfect till that Day Regeneration Adoption Union with Christ they suffer a kind of Imperfection till then Regeneration the Day of Judgment is called by that Name Matth. 19.28 In the Regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit on the Throne of his Glory Then all things are made new Heaven and Earth is new Bodies new Souls new Then Adoption is perfect Rom. 8.23 Waiting for the Adoption to wit the Redemption of our Bodies What is the meaning of the Apostle's Expression As soon as we are planted into Christ are we not the Sons of God Yes now we are Sons but the Heir is handled as a Servant during his Non-age 1 Iohn 3.2 Beloved now we are the Sons of God but it doth not yet appear what we shall be we wait for the Adoption Justification that is perfect then Acts 3.19 Repent therefore and be converted that your Sins may be blotted out when the times of Refreshing shall come from the Presence of the Lord Then our Pardon shall be proclaimed in the Ears of all the World and we shall have Absolution out of Christ's own Mouth then shall we come to understand what it is that the Lord saith I will remember your Sins no more and your Iniquity shall be blotted out Then for Redemption Ephes. 4.30 Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed to the Day of Redemption Luke 21.28 Look up and lift up your Heads for your Redemption draweth nigh O how doth the Captive long for his Liberty so should we long for that Day for it is the Day of our Redemption Now the Body is a Captive and when the Soul is set at Liberty the Body is held under the Chains of Death Ay but then Christ comes to loosen the Bands and Shackles of the Grave and free the Bodies of the Saints Look as the Butler was not afraid when he was sent for by Pharaoh because Ioseph had assured him he should be set at Liberty So Christ comes to set you fully at Liberty not only the Soul but the Body Therefore to think and speak of that Day with Horror doth ill become them that expect such Perfection of Privileges to be acquitted before all the World and to be crowned with Christ's own Hands 3. It is a Day of Congregation or gathering together The Saints are now scattered they live in divers Countries Towns and Houses and cannot have the Comfort of one another's Society But then all shall meet in one Assembly and Congregation It is said Psal. 1.5 The Vngodly shall not stand in Iudgment nor Sinners in the Congregation of the Righteous There will be a time when Christ's Church shall be gathered all together into one Place As the Stars do not shine in a Cluster but are dispersed throughout the Firmament for the Comfort and Light of the World so are the Saints scattered up and down in the World according as they may be useful for God but then when the four Winds shall give up their Dead and the Saints shall be gathered from all the Corners of the World this shall be the great Rendezvouz Look as the Wicked shall be herded together as Straw and Sticks are bound in a Bundle that they may set one another a fire Drunkards with Drunkards Adulterers with Adulterers and Thieves with Thieves Matth. 13.40 41 42. As therefore the Tares are gathered and burnt in the Fire so shall it be in the End of the World The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend and them which do Iniquity And shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire there shall be Wailing and gnashing of Teeth The Wicked shall be sorted with Men like themselves and so increase one another's Torment so shall all the World of the Godly meet in one Assembly and Congregation and never separate more In this Life we cannot injoy one another's Fellowship for divers Reasons God hath Service for us in divers Countries but such a happy time shall come when we shall all make but one Body therefore the Saints are still groaning and longing for that happy Day we for them and they for us not only the Saints upon Earth that are left to conflict with Sin and Misery but the Saints in Heaven are still groaning as the Souls under the Altar Rev. 6.9 10. How long O Lord Holy and True Look as those in a Ship-wrack that have gotten to the Shore stand longing and looking for their Companions So glorified Saints that have gotten safe to Shore still they are longing and looking when the Body of Christ shall be made perfect and all the Saints shall meet in one solemn Assembly This is the Communion between us and the Saints departed they long for our Company as we do for theirs Here the Tares are
Diseases he ascended up into a Mountain or retired into a Ship and leaves the Multitude and when they would have crowned him King he refused it all these were Arguments and Instances of his Humility Hear and wonder at what you read Iohn 13.3 Iesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he was come from God and went to God A magnificent Preface Now one would have thought that some rare act of Empire Soveraignty and Domination should have followed No Verse 4.5 He riseth from Supper and laid aside his Garments and took a towel and girded himself After that he poureth water into a bason and began to wash his Disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded The Disciples did not wash the feet of their Lord but the Lord washed the Disciples feet and what was the meaning of this see Verse 15. For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you 3. In Love to the Saints Iohn 13.34 A new Commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another And Iohn 15.12 This is my Commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you Oh how express are these Injunctions There is nothing in which Christ was more Eminent than in his Love no rancour of Spirit no boyling up of Envy but all Love The Apostle propounds it to Husbands Eph. 2.25 Husbands love your Wives even as Christ loved the Church Now how did Christ love his Church with a great Love so as to dye for his Church The Love of Christ was sincere not for By ends he loved Saints as Saints because of his Interest in them So should we love those in whom we see most of the Image of God It was not a blaze but a constant abiding Love whom he loves he loves unto the end so must we love the Saints It is true Jesus loved some above others Iohn was the beloved Disciple John 21.20 There was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Flower of the Disciples whom he loved most but he loved them all We should Love not in Word but in Deed and in Truth Oh be filled with Love to God and Love to the Saints who have his Image stamped upon them You that are Believers have cause to love one another have we not all the same Father Are we not Children begotten of the same Holy Seed the Word Do we not all suck at the same Breasts of the Promises Do we not all sit at the same Table at the Lords Supper Are we not all cloathed with the same Robe of Christ's Righteousness and do we not all expect the same Glory 4. In his Vsefulness and Profitableness And of this the whole Gospel is a Narrative and History Therefore when the Apostle would summ up the Life of Christ he tells us this Acts 10.38 He went about doing good giving Eyes to the Blind Feet to the Lame Speech to the Dumb healing every sickness and every Disease among the people Matth. 9.35 full of Compassion to the Souls of Men. Jesus Christ was nothing else but Charity covered over with Flesh and Blood he was always either giving of Blessings or forgiving of Sins All his Miracles were not actions of Pomp but of Relief and Succour unless it were blasting the Fig. tree and sending the Herd of Swine into the Sea and the Figg-tree was Barren and the Swine was of little use in the Jewish Countries All the Miracles of Christ were salutary and healing We never read he destroyed one Man by Miracle but saved many Eph. 5.1 2. Be ye therefore followers of God as dear Children and walk in love as Christ also hath loved us Oh that we could learn this none is born for himself but for the Community and it is better to give than to receive 5. In his Piety towards God If you consider the History of Christ you will find him much in Acts of Devotion he was Frequent and Fervent and Reverent in Prayer Frequent Mark 1.35 And in the morning rising up a great while before day he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed And Luke 6.12 He went out into a Mountain to pray and continued all night in Prayer to God Alas we are weary in our ordinary stinted Offices of the day how soon do we grow weary of calling upon God! but Christ spends whole Nights in Prayer He was Fervent Luke 22.44 And being in an Agony he prayed more earnestly And he was Reverent when he was in the Garden he kneeled down and prayed Luke 22.41 And he fell on his face and prayed Mat. 26.39 He was a most diligent Observer of the Sabbath Luke 4.16 As his custom was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day he was diligent in frequenting the Publick Assemblies Oh how doth this confute those that out of height of Spirit and a proud Conceit of themselves are above Ordinances and say they were appointed only for Christians of the lower form He praised God for mean and course fare when he had but five Barley Loaves and two Fishes He took the loaves and when he had given thanks he distributed to the Disciples John 6.11 Alas when our Tables are full furnished we have scarce any serious Thoughts of God that giveth us richly all things to enjoy 6. In his Spirituality and Heavenly-mindedness Christ came from Heaven and he lived in Heaven all the while he was upon the Earth When he was at the Well of Samaria conferring with the Woman there he discourseth of the Well that springs up to Everlasting Life Iohn 4.14 Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life He drew her from a Discourse of ordinary water to a Discourse of the Water of Life When he was at Supper at the Pharisee's House he discourseth of eating Bread in God's Kingdom Luke 14.15 Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God When he had wrought the Miracle of the Loaves he discourseth of the Bread of Life and the Mannah that came down from Heaven Iohn 6.27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth but for the meat which endureth to everlasting Life which the Son of Man shall give unto you When he was at the Feast of Tabernacles where they were wont to pour out water and so to make a Pool near the Temple he discourseth of Rivers of water and of the flowings of the Spirit Iohn 7.38.39 He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water This spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive A rare Pattern for us to follow We should labour as to see all things in God so to see God in all things and to be heavenly minded
and with least defaults in his Duty and blots in his Fidelity to Christ. Would you know then whether your Faith be strong or weak know it by this The more you can adhere to Christ whatever Temptations you have to the contrary if you can venture not only some but all things upon the Account of the Promise of Eternal Life 1. Deny the sinful Pleasures of the Flesh they were never worth the keeping If I cannot deny a little vain Pleasure what can I deny for Christ surely momentary Delight is bought too dear if it must be bought with the loss of Eternal Joyes Esau is represented as a Prophane Person that sold his Birth-right for one morsel of Meat Heb. 12.15 If the vain Delights of the World prevail so with Men that all the Promises of the Gospel cannot reclaim them these comply with the Motions of the Flesh which is importunate to be pleased but have no sense of the Offers of Christ who calleth upon us to save our Souls The true Christian is a Stranger and Pilgrim on the Earth whose Mind and Heart is set upon better things which are to come 1 Pet. 2.11 Upon the security of God's Word he is taking his Journey into another World 2. We must be willing to Sacrifice all our Interests Matth. 16.24 If any Man will come after me and be my Disciple let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow me If God be trusted as our Felicity Worldly Felicity must be no Impediment to our Duty therefore if we cannot incur blame and shame with Men yea damage and loss that we may be faithful with God our Faith is worth nothing 3. If God call you not to Sufferings yet there are some Expencefull and Self-denying Duties which ever are incumbent upon you Matth. 25.35 Visiting the Sick Cloathing the Naked Feeding the Hungry Luk. 12.33 Sell that ye have and give Alms provide your selves Bags which wax not old a Treasure in the Heavens that faileth not Can you trust Christ upon such Promises and be at some loss for the Gospel for a Religion that costs nothing is worth nothing most Men love a cheap Gospel and the Flesh ingrosseth all Faith gets little from them to be layed out for God These Men run a fearful hazard of being rejected for ever they Sow to the Flesh Gal. 6.8 He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting 4. If your Faith maketh you to submit to Providence When we first entred into Covenant with God we entirely and absolutely gave up our selves to God to be governed by his commanding Will and to be ordered by his disposing Will You cannot shift your selves out of his Hands but your voluntary submission to any thing if you may have Christ and Heaven at last is the Tryal of your Faith Iob 1.21 The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the Name of the Lord Phil. 1.20 So Christ be magnified in my Body whether it be by life or death He was come to a Point Nothing should be reserved so Christ may be glorified and you may have his saving Grace let him give or take the more willingly you do this the stronger is your Faith Certainly to deny all is an essential Property of Faith 3. The third Evidence of a growing Faith is when our Light is turned into Love For Faith is not a bare Knowledge but a sound a savoury and affective Knowledge a knowing things as we ought to know them 1 Cor. 8.1 2. A Knowledge with a Taste for such a difference as there is between the sight of Meat and the tasting of it such a difference there is betwen speculative Knowledge and the Apprehension of Faith 1 Pet. 1.3 You may dispute him out of his Belief that Seeth but you can never dispute him out of his Belief that Tastes for you cannot make him go against his own sense The stedfastness of unlearned Christians cometh mainly from their Taste and Love They adhere more closely to Christ than those that have only a dead Opinion because they received the Truth not only in the light but love of it 2 Thes. 2.10 Now the more Taste we have of the things we know and believe the stronger is our Faith Now besides the manner of Apprehension the Truths apprehended tend mainly to raise our Love to God that we may love him that loved us first 1 Ioh. 4.19 We know God that we may Love him and Faith is nothing else but a beholding the Love of God in the Face of Jesus Christ that our Hearts may be warmed attracted and drawn to God Faith is the Bellows to enkindle the Fire of Love in our Souls and therefore Faith the more sound and sincere it is the more it worketh by Love Gal. 5.6 Faith is required sub ratione medii Love sub ratione finis The End of the Gospel Institution is Love 1 Tim. 1.5 Well then when you make it your great Business to love God and count it your great Happiness to be beloved by him then may you best judge of the Growth of your Faith The Gospel representeth the Goodness and Amiableness of God that he may be more lovely to us and be beloved by us For this was the end of Reconciling and Saving Man by Christ his Incarnation Life Sufferings Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession is all to reveal the Love of God in Christ and to work our Hearts to love God again To this end also tend his merciful Covenant and Promises and all the Benefits given to the Church all the Priviledges of the Saints his Spirit Pardon Peace Glory all these to warm our Hearts and fill them with a sense of the Love of God Now if we slightly reflect upon these things with cold and narrow Thoughts we have not the true Faith certainly not a grown Faith SERMON IV. ON 2 THESS I. v. 3. Your Faith groweth exceedingly THe Fourth Essential Property of Faith is its Respect to the Word of God That I may explain this with more full satisfaction I shall open Four things 1. The Relation of the Word to Faith 2. The Acts of Faith about the Word 3. The Effects of Faith thus exercised 4. The Notes whereby we may discern a strong or grown Faith 1. The Relation of the Word to Faith 1. 'T is a Means to beget and breed Faith Rom. 10.14 15. How shall they call on him on whom they have not believed and how shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a Preacher and how shall they preach except they be sent Every part of the gradation hath its weight First What I am bound to Adore and Invocate I must believe in him as a Divine Power For the Second How shall Men believe in Christ as a God unless they have heard of him Faith is a believing such things as God
of their Sacrifices and drank the Wine of their Drink-offerings yea often the Blood of their Sons and Daughters whom they sacrificed to him yet all of a sudden his strong Holds were demolished the Idols broken whom they and their Fathers had worshipped and prayed unto in their Distresses and Adversities and blessed in their Prosperities the Temples broken down the Altars polluted and set at nought and the World turned from these Vanities to the living God But a little while after the Fires were kindled and the Professors of the True Religion were butchered and slaughtered but then they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their Testimony and not loving their Lives unto the Death Rev. 12.11 So that when the Church seemed weakest and her Enemies strongest then she had more for her than against her When Satan's Instruments were killing Christians then they were pulling down Satan's Throne and advancing Christ's So that it is better to be a simple Souldier on Christ's side than Commander of a whole Army against him When the Persecutors had done Satan raised up Hereticks in the Church as Worms that bred in the Body and devoured it Yet Christ confounded them and a little Time brake each Sect in pieces and those that were the great Scourge and Vexation of one Age were scarce known to the next but by their Names and some obscure Reports The Light of the Gospel did soon scatter these Mists as soon as they did arise Last of all came the great Apostacy of Antichristianism whereby the Simplicity of the Christian Doctrine was turned into School-Niceties the Worship of the Gospel into a Theatrical Pomp and the Pageantry of ridiculous Ceremonies and the Discipline of the Church into a Temporal Domination And all this supported by the Blood of the Saints and worldly Grandeur and the combined Interests of many Popish Nations And here are the Ebbs and Flows between the two Shores of Christ and Antichrist amongst us You know by what a bloody Design Hagar the Bond-woman that was cast ouâ— sought to weaken and vaunt it over Sarah but the Lord broke the Snare and our Foot is escaped 5. If the promised Seed had not bruised the Serpent's Head the World had been in a worse Case than it is There is some Conviction and Restraint where Conversion taketh not place Consider how Satan reigneth where Christ hath not pursued him with his Gospel or where Christ hath withdrawn his Gospel for the Ingratitude of Men. Surely there is a difference between the Places where People live in the Dregs of Christianity and there where the Devil is worshipped and Idolatry set up 6. Though there be not a total Destruction of the Kingdom of Satan yet it is in an absolute Subjection to the Throne of the Mediator The Kingdom of Sin and Satan are so far destroyed as not to hinder the Demonstration of Mercy to the Elect and as to be subservient to the Demonstration of his Justice to others who neglect or contemn the Remedy offered which is God's great Design that the Elect may obtain though the rest be hardned 7. That in time Christ will destroy all opposite Reigns and Kingdoms He doth some sooner others later but there will be an universal and absolute Subjection to Christ at the Day of Judgment Infernal Spirits shall then bow the Knee to him Phil. 2.10 with Rom. 14.10 11. and that with Isa. 45.23 Then Saints shall judg Angels 1 Cor. 6.2 and the whole Mystery of Iniquity will then be finished and come to nothing Vse 1. Thankfulness and Praise to our Mediator The Eternal God hath selected a People from the rest of the World to praise him for the Mystery of his Love Here in the Assemblies of his People for God inhabiteth the Praises of Israel Psal. 22.3 And hereafter that he may have the Thanks of his glorified Saints for ever Consider to this end how Satan's Design is crossed and counterworked in the Mystery of our Redemption 1. Satan's Design was to dishonour God by a false Representation as if envious of Man's Happiness Gen. 3.5 God doth know that in the Day that ye eat thereof then your Eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing Good and Evil. And so to weaken the esteem of God's Goodness Now in the Work of our Redemption God is wonderfully magnified and represented as amiable to Man not envying our Knowledg and Delight but promoting it by all Means even with great Care and Cost 1 John 4.8 God is Love 2. To depress the Nature of Man that in Innocency stood so near God Now that the Humane Nature so depressed and abased by the malicious Suggestions of the Devil should be so elevated and advanced and be set up far above the Angelical Nature and admitted to dwell with God in a personal Union O let us now chearfully remember and celebrate this Victory of Christ Our Praise now is a Pledg of our everlasting Triumph This Table is spread for us in the sight of our Enemies and we come to have intimate Communion and Fellowship with him at his Table Vse 2. To exhort us to make use of Christ's Help for our Recovery out of the Defection and Apostacy of Mankind O let Satan be crushed in you and the old carnal Nature destroyed He that so willingly entred into the Conflict on the Cross though his Heel were bruised will as willingly imploy the Power of the Spirit to help you the one was in order to the other Christ doth not only enter upon the Work by Conquest but hath much to do with every individual Person before he can settle his Kingdom in their Hearts There is a Combate between Christ and Satan for the rescue of every Sinner and we are not easily brought to change Masters Now yield to him suffer him to save you You look to the outward Interest of Christ in the World and you do well but it is easier to bring Men to own a true Religion than to bring them under the Power of it Christ's greatest Victory is the overcoming Mens Corruptions and carnal Inclinations to purify their polluted Souls and to set up Christ's Government in the Heart where once Satan ruled The Kingdom of Christ within us is the most excellent Kingdom Luke 11.20 If I with the Finger of God cast out Devils no doubt the Kingdom of God is come upon you If once we become Christ's we will more really care for his Interest in the World Vse 3. To shew us the Nature of Christ's Victory and wherein it consisteth Not in an Exemption from Troubles nor in a total Exemption from Sin for the present 1. Not in an Exemption from Troubles No you must expect Conflicts Tho Satan's deadly Power be taken away our Heel may be crushed Christ hath delivered us from the present evil World Gal. 1.4 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from this present evil World Not that the World should
but the Grace that we may do that good which we Will and Purpose These are distinct many may have assistance in one kind not in another Paul sheweth us that willing and doing are different Rom. 7.18 For to will is present with me but how to performe that which is good I find not To will is more than to think and to exert our Will into Action is more than both In all we need Gods help both to think a good thought or conceive a good purpose much more to performe a good Action Man is mutable and here is much opposition 2. VSE Exhortation to several Duties 1. Let us shake off carnal security and laziness Here is not only Gods Grace represented but Mans Duty Gods doing all doth not warrant us to lye upon the Bed of ease but stir us up to diligence Phil. 2.12 13. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure 2. We are not to neglect the Motions of the Spirit least we grieve him Eph. 4.30 And grieve not the holy spirit whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption 3. We are to use the Means and God will bless our endeavours 1 Pet. 2.2 As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby We are to attend upon the Word and frequent the Sacrament 4. We must pray earnestly for a two-fold reason 1. That we may humbly own our wants Iames 1.5 If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God 2. That we may express our desires and longing for Grace Matth. 5.6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled 5. We must improve our Talents least we be accounted evil and sloathful Servants that receive Grace in vain 2 Cor. 6.1 We beseech you that you receive not the grace of God in vain Doct. 2. That the continued sanctification and perfecting of Man once Regenerate cometh from God as the God of peace This is the Blessing prayed for and when the Apostle prayeth for it he calleth God the God of peace So elsewhere 1 Thess. 5.23 The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ. He prayeth therefore the whole progress of sanctifying Grace till it hath attained its end and final perfection and giveth God the same Title Here I shall open to you these five things 1. In What Sense God is said to be the God of Peace 2. The Ground and Foundation of this Peace 3. The Evidences how it appears that God is pacified 4. The Conveiance of it to us or how we come to be interested in this Peace 5. The Reasons why all increase of Grace cometh from him as such I. What is the meaning of this Title God is called the God of peace in two respects 1. With respect to Union and Peace with Men especially our Fellow Christians God is the God of Peace as he is the Author and Approver of this Peace 1 Cor. 14.33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace as in all the churches of the saints 2 Thess. 3.16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace alwaies by all means 2. With respect to our Reconciliation with himself after the breach that was between us Heaven and Earth are at an accord and the great quarrel between us and God is compromised and taken up In one place the Angels come to proclaim peace on earth Luke 2.14 At another time when Christ solemnly entreth as the Messiah into Ierusalem they cryed out Luke 19.38 Peace in heaven and glory in the highest One of the Parties at variance is in the earth the other in Heaven The Angels the Inhabitants of the other World proclaim Peace on Earth and Men that dwell here below eccho to them again Peace in Heaven and that when they gave Christ the Honour of the Messias shewing that his great business was to make Reconciliation It is not a Primitive Original Peace but a Reconciliation after a breach a restoring of Peace when it was lost We had all broken with God and God was angry with Men for Sin Now while God was angry and offended there was no hope to receive any gift of Grace from him Therefore with respect to this is God called the God of peace II. The Grounds and Foundation of this peace And that is by the blood of the everlasting covenant which is the only propitiatory Sacrifice which could appease God and give his Justice full satisfaction and recompence for our Offences Before this Peace could be made and this woful breach repaired there were two things to be removed which stood in the way Gods Wrath and our Rebellious Nature The Righteous Wrath of God is appeased by the Blood of Christ Our Rebellion is cured and healed by his Spirit The latter is but a consequent of the former The first foundation for this peace was laid in the Blood of Christ Col. 1.20 And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself Isa. 53.5 The chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed The Enmity had been irreconcilable and impossible to be removed unless God had taken this way unless the Son of God had dyed for a sinful World that by the Merit of his Obedience he might give satisfaction to a provoked God for the wrong we had done him III. The Evidences that God is pacified Here are three mentioned 1. The bringing back of Christ from the dead 1. This showeth that God was propitiated that he hath accepted the ransom that was given for Souls Christs Resurrection is called by the Prophet a being taken from prison and from judgment Isa. 53.8 While Christ was in the state of the Dead he was in effect a Prisoner under the arrest of Divine Vengeance but when he rose again then was our surety let out of Prison The expression is notable in the Text brought again the Lord Iesus from the dead The force of the word may be explained with allusion to that carriage of the Apostles when they were cast into Prison Acts 16.35 37 39. And the magistrates sent to let them go nay verily say they but let them come themselves and fetch us out and they came and brought them out of prison So was Christ brought again Though Christ had power to rise yet was he rather raised The Lord sent an Angel to remove the Stone not to supply any lack of power in Christ but as a Judge when he is satisfied sendeth an Officer to open the Prison Doors Though Christ had Power to rise yet not Authority till the Angel rolled away the Stone He did not break Prison but was brought again from the dead Neither did he perish in Prison then we could have no assurance
mentioned and no more whilst the experience is warm upon our Hearts when the Act is over we should be remembring again and again 4. The Mercies must be improved to a greater Trust in God and Love and Fear of God and Obedience to him 1. Trust The more we know of his Name the more should we trust him Psalm 64.10 The righteous shall be glad in the Lord and shall trust in him That is true Praise and Thanksgiving that endeth in trust It is the purest respect of the Creature and that which keepeth up a respect between God and us Faith is the best thanks I doubt we are not Spiritual enough in our returns to God we content our selves with verbal Praises and do not look after the growth of Faith and Trust 2 Cor. 1.10 Who delivered us from so great a danger and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us He findeth it growing upon him whilst he was mentioning of it Every Experience we have is a condescention in God towards the strengthning of our Faith 2. Love it is a special part of this rendring God will be loved again where he loveth first Radius reflexus languet The cold Wall will reverberate and beat back the Sun beams A little Water put into a Pump fetches up more Psalm 116.1 2 I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplication Because he hath inclined his ear to me therefore I will call upon him as long as I live God is more indeared to us Love him as thy Father in Christ. Every Mercy cometh wrapped in his Bowels to the Saints and swimming in his Blood When Moses had received Mercies Deut. 10.12 Now saith he What doth the Lord require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God and to walk in his wayes and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul We have a good Master and Love is one chief part of our work We were bound to love him if he had never done us good much more when he is so gracious It is the end of all common Mercies Deut. 30.20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God and that thou mayest obey his voice and that thou mayest cleave unto him for he is thy life and the length of thy dayes 3. Fear that we dare not offend so good a God That is a true improvement Hosea 3.5 Afterwards shall the children of Israel return and seek the Lord their God and David their King and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days When we grow more presumptuous because we are well at ease that is naught But when it increaseth our Reverence of God and Holy Fear and Trembling then it works kindly You that have been conscious to the terribâ—â— things of Righteousness which God hath executed in the high places of the Field you should fear love and trust him more than others You see what a Great God he is that he will find out those that hate him How suddenly can he blast Worldly Confidence however supported And how able is he to protect those that trust in him Will you offend such a God These changes do not only speak Duty to the Enemies but to you Habakkuk trembled at the thought of Gods Judgments on Babylon Habak 3.16 When I heard my belly trembled my lips quivered at the voice And David Psalm 119.120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee and I am afraid of thy judgments It is an appearance of God and tender hearts melt at it as a Lyon trembleth to see a Dog beaten Tender Hearts are affected with the Wrath that lighteth upon others especially when they are the Instruments 4. Obedience You should walk the more humbly and strictly with God David was at a los What shall I render This was one of his Resolutions Psalm 116.9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living This is your Duty to bind your selves to a more humble and holy walking with God This is a good use of Experiences The Army that have seen so much of God should be a School of Piety to the Nation There is a notable place Iudges 2.7 And the people served the Lord all the dayes of Ioshua and all the dayes of the elders that out-lived Ioshua who had seen all the great works of the Lord that he did for Israel Whilst there were any to keep alive the Memorial of such Experiences what an awe was it upon their hearts Oh that you could get your Hearts in such a frame Methinks you should have such Arguings as this shall I that have seen the wonders of the Lord be proud vain carnal contemptuous of Holy things Such Holy reasonings argue a good frame Ezra 9.13 Seeing that thou our God hast given us such deliverance as this should we again break thy commandments Certainly none sin so dearly and with so much expense as a People saved by the Lords Mercies II. To render accordingly What is that It implyeth two things 1. Real Mercies require real Acknowledgments When your Lives were in jeopardy in the high places of the Field did God complement with you or save in jest And now in the day of your Thanksgivings will you complement with God and put him off with a little bodily presence What is a little cold thanks if you be proud and injurious and despisers of the Ministry regardless oâ— Gods institutions cavilling at his Ordinances neglectful of Church-Communion a thing grown into fashion with many they content themselves with a loose Profession of Christ living out of the Communion of any particular Church A sad thing God would have Coals lye together Wine is best preserved in the Hogshead and Saints in Communion Did God take their thanks well that would own a Mercy but oppress the People Zach. 11.5 Whose possessors slay them and hold themselves not guilty and they that sell them say Blessed be God I am rich They were grown great and high and God must have the Glory by all means but they used the People severely at their own pleasure There was a thanksgiving but withal there was disobedience and abuse of Authority and in that case keeping a day will be to no purpose The Devils leading Christ to the top of the Pinacle was but to perswade him to cast himself down again 2. The Acknowledgment must answer the proportion of the Mercy be it in word or deed It is true we cannot vie with God for degree and measure but we must do what we can 1. If the acknowledgment be in word Psalm 145.3 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised it must be taken notice of in a more than ordinary manner The more of God is manifest the more it should be taken notice of Psalm 150.2 Praise him according to his excellent greatness According to the great appearances and manifestations of God so must our Praises be Let the high praises of God be
fourth rank is of those things which are evil in themselves and good only by accident in order to some greater good which may be procured by them as War to make way for a lasting Quiet and Peace the cutting off an Arm or Leg to preserve the rest of the Body burning the Harvest to starve an Enemy In a Theological Consideration Afflictions have this use which are not things to be desired and chosen but endured and suffered when sent by the wise God for our good Well now a Christian should love all things according to their value and as they approach nearer to his last end and chief good He valueth all things as they more or less let out God to him the nearer means more than the remote subservient helps Thus he delighteth in the Ordinances more than the Creatures because the Ordinances discover more of God and exhibite more of God to him He valueth Graces more than Ordinances because by the Graces of the Spirit he is brought into more Conformity to God and Communion with him than by the bare formality of a Duty And he delighteth in Jesus Christ more than in Created Graces as being by him nearer to God and God nearer to us Here is the method and order of our value and esteem then First God next Christ as Mediatour next the Graces of the Spirit next the Ordinances next the Creatures and Comforts of this Life 3. A Godly mans Judgment is rectified about the difference between things spiritual and temporal Prov. 23.4 Labour not to be rich cease from thine own Wisdom 1 Cor 2.12 We have received not the Spirit of the World but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God Psal. 16.7 I will bless the Lord who hath given me Counsel my Reins also instruct me in the night season He counteth that Condition beâ—â— wherein he may be most serviceable to God and best helped to Heaven The natural understanding valueth all things by the Interest of the Flesh for it looketh only to present things 't is the Spirit of the World But one to whom God hath given Counsel he is of another temper seeth things by another light and liveth to another end and scope His End enlightneth him and the Spirit of God enlightneth him The Spirit sheweth him the reality and worth of Heavenly things Eph. 1.17 18. That the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of him The Eyes of your Vnderstanding being enlightned that ye may know what is the Hope of his Calling and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints There is no Prospect of the other World by the light of a natural Spirit but by Faith 2 Pet. 1.9 He that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off A meer naturaâ— man acteth at little a higher rate than a Beast A Beast seeth things before him tasts what is comfortable to his Senses is guided by Fancy and Appetite But the Spirit of Faith maketh a Man live as in the sight of God and under a sense of another World His end enlightneth him for Mat. 6.22 The light of the Body is the Eye if thine Eye be single thy whole Body shall be full of Light When a man hath fixed his end he will the sooner understand his way Finis est mensura mediorum The End is the measure of the means A good end and scope inlightneth and governeth a man in his whole course As a Man's end is so he judgeth of Happiness and Misery If a Mans end be to live well in the World then Happy are the People that are in such a Case If his end be to enjoy God then Happy is the People whose God is the Lord Psal. 144.15 It is a blessed opportunity to be waiting upon him So he judgeth of Liberty and Bondage If his end be to please God then Corruption is his Yoak if to please the Flesh Duty is his Yoak So he judgeth of Wisdom and Folly A carnal man counteth himself wise when he has made a good Bargain then he applaudeth himself Psal 10.3 The wicked boasteth of his Hearts desire and blesseth the covetous whom the Lord abhorreth The Godly Man then counteth himself wise when he has redeemed time for spiritual uses Eph. 5.15 16. Not as Fools but as Wise redeeming the time because the days are evil And the Eunuch when he was instructed by Philip went on his way rejoicing Acts 8 39. Vse 1. If these things be so then it informeth us how chearfully we should pass through our Sabbath Duties Isa. 58.13 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy Pleasure on my Holy Day and call the Sabbath a delight the Holy of the Lord honourable and shalt Honour him not doing thine own work nor finding thine own Pleasure nor speaking thine own Words c. It followeth naturally from the Point in hand for if a day in Gods house be better than a thousand elsewhere then a Christian should be in his Element when he is wholly at leisure for God His Sabbath time should not hang upon his hands nor should he count this day as a melancholy Interruption Few are of this Spirit they are out of their course Amos 8.5 When will the Sabbath be gone that we may set forth Wheat They are weary of Sacred Meetings and long to have them over that they might follow their gain and satisfie their worldly Humour They make the World and their Gain their great Errand and look upon Attendance upon God as a matter by the by and therefore are soon weary of it Vse II. Let us reflect the Light of this Truth upon our own Hearts have we this love and affection to the means of Grace If we profess it the Truth of it is best known to God but in some measure it should be known to our selves also if we would take Comfort in it Therefore let us a little state it 1. This Affection and Respect to Ordinances is to them as pure to those meetings where God is sincerely and purely worshipped As new born Babes desire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sincere Milk of the Word 1 Pet. 2.2 The new Nature is suited to Gods Institutions As the puking Infant when he sucketh a Stranger doth in Effect say this is not my Mothers Milk Christ is there where he is worshipped in his own way Mat. 28.20 Teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the World The Church hath nothing to do about ordaining or instituting but only about ordering the natural circumstances of Worship 2. It is not the empty formality which the Saints prize but meeting with God Psal. 81.1 2. How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts my Soul longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord
spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it 5. The Gracious Providences of God in leading on the Church to their Eternal Happiness Eph. 3.10 To the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly Places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That curious variety and interweavings of Providence in bringing poor Creatures to Glory When we are on the Top of the Mount and we shall know as we are known then shall we see how variously he did confound the Wisdom of Men and Devils and led the Saints to Glory The Angels see more of God in this than in any of his other Works the state of the Church here upon Earth is the great Glass wherein God discovereth his Wisdom Power Goodness and Truth 6. The Final Glorious Estate of the Saints Christ shall be admired in them 2 Thes. 1.10 When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that Believe For Poor Dust to shine as Stars and to be admitted with Christ to judge the World even Evil Angels All Men shall be at last owned or disowned by Christ confessed or denied before the Angels as those that look after these things Luke 12.8 9. Whosoever shall confess me before men him shall the Son of Man also confess before the Angels of God But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the Angels of God Rev. 3.5 I will confess his Name before my Father and his Angels We may admire at these things 1 Iohn 3.1 2. Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! Behold now we are the Sons of God and it doth not appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is III. The Manner How 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they desire to look into 1. It noteth an accurate Inspection to look towards so as to look through They understand more of these Mysteries than we do having no Mass of Flesh to clog them and obstruct the Operations of these Spirits as having no secular vanities to divert them as being so near God so intirely loving him because of the excellency of their Natures they have more advantage than we as the World wherein we dwell is more known to them than to us yet they are prying and should not we follow on to know the Lord Hos. 6.3 2. 'T is Earnest and Affectionate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they desire their hearts are in it Obj. Desire argueth a defect and the Angels that are in the Presence of God are in statu perfecto in a perfect State Ans. 1. In many things this Mystery exceedeth their understandings therefore they desire to know it more and more There is in the Angels understanding and Knowledge natural supernatural and experimental Their natural Knowledge reacheth to things that are belonging to the Perfection and Happiness of their Nature In supernatural things that depend upon the meer favour of God Angels know no more than God is pleased to manifest to them and so are ignorant of those things which God will not reveal and cannot be found out by any created understanding Their experimental Knowledge is by the accomplishment of Prophesies and what is foretold concerning the State of the Church here upon Earth as Christ learned Obedience by the things he suffered Heb. 5.8 So might Angels learn more when they saw Christ born dye and rise again the Spirit poured out the Devil dispossessed the Gospel Kingdom erected 2. Some defects are perfective as hungring and thirsting after Righteousness proveth Blessedness Mat. 5.6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Righteousness for they shall be filled As Gregory Et satiantur sitiunt ne enim sit in desiderio anxietas desiderantes satiantur ne sit in satietate fastidium satiati desiderant They are satisfied with what they desire to prevent anxiety and trouble and they desire that with which they are satisfied to prevent satiety and loathing It is a sweet thirst not a painful dissatisfaction such as quickens but not pains Desire is an Act of Love the Object of it is dear and esteemed So the Angels they are desiring and enjoying Sitientes satiabimur satiati sitiemus As in Heaven the Saints desire more of God because they are not weary of him 3. They look upon it so as to be ready to discharge their Ministry about it As the Cherubims were figured with out-stretched wings over the Mercy Seat as ready to be imploy'd in Gods Errand so the Angels look into these things We find them ever ministring about Christ in his Temptations and Agonies in his Grave and at his Ascension So are they ministring about the Saints whom these things do concern Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to Minister for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation The Angels do so look into the things purchased for us by Christ that they are helpful to us in them according to the Will of God IV. The Reasons 1. Negatively 1. Not Curiosity that cannot be imagined in these Blessed Spirits Now Curiosity is either First In the Matter when we pry into secret things which we cannot nor ought we to see into Col. 2.18 Intruding into those things which he hath not seen Those things wherein the Mind of God is not known or understood But God revealed himself to the Angels concerning the Salvation of man they being so often imployed in the Prediction and Discovery of those things that concerned the coming of Christ and Salvation by him They were the Messengers to carry the glad-tydings of it to the Patriarchs and Prophets Gabriel informed Daniel and talked with him concerning the seventy Weeks Dan. 9.21 22 23 24. After which the Messiah should be cut off God used their Ministry to instruct the Church in all the Acts of his Mediation the Angels comforted Christ in his Temptations and Agonies The Angels brought news of his Birth Luke 2.10 And the Angel said unto them Fear not I bring you good tidings c. When tempted they ministred to him Mat. 4.11 Then the Devil leaveth him and behold Angels came and ministred to him In his Agonies they strengthen him Luke 22.43 There appeared an Angel to him from Heaven strengthning him When he was buried and in his Grave they rolled away the Stone Mat. 28.2 The Angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and rolled back the Stone from the door Where he lay in the Sepulchre there were two Angels in White sitting the one at the Head and the other at the Feet where the Body of Iesus had been John 20.12 At his Ascension Acts 1.10 11. Two men stood by them in white Apparel which also said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven c. Therefore this was
reveal his Son in me 5. It reproves those that marr their Saviour with fleshly lusts and are distracted with hunting after the pleasures and profits of the World Rom. 8.5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh They that were invited to the Feast they made light of it and went their ways one to his Farm another to his Merchandise Matth. 22.5 They do not value the Glory of God and the true Interest of their own Souls Vse 3. Is to perswade us to search into and meditate upon these blessed and glorious Mysteries surely if the Angels desire to look into these things they much more are propounded to our admiration and delight because we have more need by reason of the imperfection of our knowledge and these things do more concern us because we are the parties interessed Needless Speculations we may well spare The things which concern our Redemption by Christ are our own affairs and our greatest and most necessary affairs to know our threatned Misery to prevent it and our promised Happiness to obtain it What we must doe and what we must be for ever is that business which we must most attend upon Here I shall enquire 1. VVhat 2. How 3. VVhy First VVhat the Person of our Redeemer and the work of Redemption 1. The Person of our Redeemer is a point of great concernment to be often thought upon The frame of Nature is set as a Glass wherein to behold and admire God Rom. 1.20 For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead Much more the Person of our Redeemer for we best behold God in the Face of Iesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 God who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ Wherein we see God in our Nature and as Head over all things to the Church and as our Lord and Saviour God is most honoured in his greatest Works as the Sun doth more honour him than a Star and a Star than a Plant or Herb and Pile of Grass So the Person of Christ doth more set forth God than either Man or Angel or any thing besides Heb. 1.3 Who being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the brightness of his glory and the express Image of his Person As God sets forth more of his glory in him so he expecteth it from him and by him We are always looking at our own benefit but we do not look at God's Glory nor what of God is discover'd in Christ in whom his Goodness VVisdom and Power doth eminently shine forth Certainly the knowledge of Christ is the Christian's wisdom the true and proper Feast of a rational Mind Two things are most considerable in Christ his relation to God and his relation to the Universal Church 1. His relation to God as the express Image of his Person So the Angels delight to look upon him those holy Creatures do not consider their own benefit so much as their Creatour's Glory where they find most of God there they are most ravished therefore they greatly delight themselves when they consider the VVisdom Power and Goodness of God as manifested in Christ The Contemplation of these things is their Happiness Now shall the Angels pay this rent of Glory to God and shall not we Surely God should be as dear to us as to them 2. His relation to the Universal Church 'T is more to be the Churches Head and Saviour than ours in particular The Angels adore him for the Excellency of his Office and his transcendent Glory and Dignity It doth us a double good to reflect upon this partly to make our affection more publick and that we may consider the common good for a narrow private Spirit maketh Christians self-seeking and unpeaceable Christ mainly is the Head and Saviour of the Body Ephes. 5.23 Christ is the head of the Church and he is the Saviour of the Body VVhen you see that he is head of all Saints under what form and denomination whatsoever your affections are less liable to partiality for then all Christians will be dear to you as they are united to you in him and you will be more tender of the prosperity of the Church of which Christ is the Head And partly to fortifie you against the splendour of all created Glory for Ephes. 1.21 Christ is exalted far above all Principalities and Powers and Might and Dominion and every Name that is named not onely in this World but also in that which is to come The glory and splendour of Earthly things doth often dazzle our eyes now it is good to divert our minds by considering the Glory and Excellency of Christ. Kings and Emperours are nothing to him less than the light of a Candle compared with the Sun The Angels see him far above them and we should see him far above all created power and glory and so hearten our selves against all discouragements 2. The VVork of our Redemption which is double 1. In reconciling us to God 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself VVe should always ravish our hearts with this Speculation Heb. 3.1 Consider the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession Christ Iesus He is our High-Priest as dealing with God and our Apostle as dealing with Man God thought it worthy of his eternal thoughts and therefore we should more set our Minds a-work about it Redemption by Christ is so much slighted because we do not consider the high and excellent ends thereof Certainly every faculty must be exercised in praising God Mind as well as Heart and this is the proper object to exercise our Minds as it doth the Angelical Contemplation and by our Minds our Hearts 2. In vanquishing our Enemies and removing the impediments of our Salvation By Merit Christ did it on the Cross Col. 2.15 Having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a show of them openly triumphing over them in it That is on the Cross. Satan triumphed visibly Christ invisibly It was the hour of the power of darkness and yet of the Conquest of the Son of God Representativè he did it in his Ascention Ephes. 4.8 When he ascended up on high he led captivity captive he foiled his Enemies on the Cross and he triumphed over them at his Ascention But it was before the Tribunal of God in the sight of Angels and our Faith But then there is an actual conquest and triumph the conquest is still carrying on till his Kingdom be compleat Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou on my right hand till I make thy Enemies thy Footstool The effects are discerned as Christ casteth the Devil out of his Temples and Territories and out of the hearts of Men. The triumph is gloriously visible and sensible and open to the view of
refreshments 3. They are described by their constant progress till they came to the place they aimed at that is in the Text They go from strength to strength every one of them in Zion appeareth before God That is having found some refreshment and reparation of strength they are encouraged to go on their way till they appear before God in the Holy Feast and have communion with him in his publick worship and then chearful joyful Souls they In which words 1. Their progress is described 2. The term and end of their journey I. Their progress They go from strength to strength That is they are always gathering new strength and courage notwithstanding their difficulties It is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is increasing their power and strength yet more and more so far are they from being weary faint and discouraged as Rom. 1.17 The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith that is our Faith still increasing And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 that is Our Glory increasing more and more So they go from strength to strength that is they increase in Strength and Courage Some read from Company to Company or from Troop to Troop or Squadron to Squadron As the word signifieth Strength in the general so sometimes a Troop of Men. It was their fashion to repair to these Feasts in great Troops For David saith Psal. 42.4 I had gone with the multitude I went with them to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise with a multitude that kept holy day Luke 2.44 They supposing him to be in the company went a days journey and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance The croud was so great that Christ was lost in the throng So they go from Troop to Troop from one of these Companies to another the later overtaking the foremost which sheweth their alacrity in this journey But we may keep our reading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from strength to strength II. The term and end of the Journey Every one of them in Zion appeareth before God At length they come to the Tabernacle the Type of Christ's promised Incarnation God's pitching his Tent in Humane Flesh and so these Godly Travellers reap the benefit of their long trouble and enjoy the pleasure of God's publick Worship The Sept. Read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The God of Gods shall be seen in Zion The words of them are opened Now the use of them is double as Zion was a Figure of the Church or as it is a Figure of Heaven 1. As Zion was a Figure of the Church so it doth express the Zeal of God's Children to joyn themselves to his Militant Church in this World and to make after the Ordinances there to injoy Christ notwithstanding all difficulties with which such a purpose is incumbred Those that may have comfortable Communion with God in his Holy Worship must expect Troubles and yet they many times meet with a Spring or a Pool by the way some mitigations of Providence and Refreshments in their Miseries at length they shall obtain their Desire 2. As Zion is a Figure of Heaven of Ierusalem that is above the City that hath Foundations And so it doth notably express the condition of those that aspire after the Triumphant Church in Heaven and all things in this Psalm concerning these passengers are sweetly applicable to this David compareth himself to two sort of Israelites ver 4. Blessed are they that dwell in thy House they shall be still praising thee Some Saints are at home already dwelling with God and praising him is their perpetual Exercise These are in Patria in their Country Others in via in the way Travellers home 1. Their Hearts are in the ways thereof their whole Time Care Thoughts and Affections are set upon this how they may get home Phil. 3.20 Our conversation is in Heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord Iesus Christ. Mat. 6.20 21. Lay up for your selves Treasure in Heaven where neither Moth nor Rust doth corrupt and where Thieves do not break through nor steal for where your Treasure is there will your Heart be also 2. These have a Wilderness to get thorough and a comfortless Valley full of discouragements For through manifold tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God Act. 14.22 Only now and then God giveth them a little refreshing a Spring by the way or a Pool sometimes inward sometimes outward Comforts and Supports that they may not be afflicted above measure and beyond what they are able to bear 3. In this valley of Tears and in the midst of Sorrows they find strength renewed to them and supports given so that the further they go the more chearful they are 4. At length our troublesome pilgrimage in this world is rewarded with the Beatifical vision of God in a better World and then we shall find that all our pains though never so great are well bestowed when the God of Gods is seen in Zion I. Those whose Hearts are set upon the ways of God and do in the midst of all difficulties hope to come before him in Zion that is above it is their Priviledge and Duty to go on from Strength to Strength II. Those that go from Strength to Strength shall at length appear before God in a Blessed and Heavenly Estate 1. Doct. Those whose Hearts are set upon the ways of God and do in the midst o◠〈◊〉 difficulties hope to come before him in Zion it is their priviledge and Duty to go on 〈◊〉 Strength to Strength 1. It is their priviledge as they grow older to grow better wiser and stronger Isai. 40.31 They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint They that wait on the Lord that do with patience expect the performance of his promises shall still have a new supply of strength enabling them to bear up when they seem to be clean spent so as to Mount as on Eagles wings which are Fowls that fly strongly and swiftly and renew their Youth Psal. 103.5 Thy youth is renewed like the Eagles Whether as those Fowls are famous for long life vigorous and healthful as if always young or it respects some particular qualities of the Eagle Some say the Eagle by casting her Feathers reneweth her youth As Micah 1.16 Inlarge thy baldness as the Eagle Some by casting her Bill when the upper Beak groweth crooked with age and shutteth up the lower Well then this is the priviledge of God's Servants so Psal. 92.13 14. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God They shall bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing Those Plants which our Heavenly Father hath planted in the midst o◠all their troubles and difficulties they flourish as Trees stand all weathers
of Christ. These things are worthy in themselves but when Men count them unworthy we should not be ashamed Not ashamed of sufferings 2 Tim. 1.8 Be not ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor me his Prisoner but be thou a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel through the power of God Mallem ruere cum Christo quam stare cum 〈◊〉 I had rather perish with Christ than stand fast with Caesar. And Mâ—rsac cur non me quoque torque donas c. Why dost thou not grace me with a Chain 〈◊〉 Nor ashamed of those that suffer for the Name of Christ 2 Tim. 1.16 He was not ashamed of my chain Heb. 11.26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt As any one cometh nearer to Christ so should he be dearer to us This is true Gratitude not to be ashamed of Christ and his Service nor Servants otherwise Christ will be ashamed of us Mark 8.38 Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the Holy Angels Oh to have Christ be ashamed of us to hide his Face in that day How terrible will it be In the changes of the World Men if they did know it would stick to that Party that is sure to be uppermost Christ is sure to be uppermost if you shrink from him when his Cause or Honour lyeth in the Dust it will be matter of Eternal Shame in the world to come 3. Doctrine The kindred is only reckoned to the sanctified All Men are in some sense of the same stock with Christ yet it is said He that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one The rest of the world are left out as not capable of the comfort of this Relation 1. Who are the Sanctified 2. Why this appropriation 1. Who are the Sanctified To Sanctifie signifieth Two things to separate and to set apart for an Holy use And to cleanse and Purifie And when this is applied to Persons they are sanctified that are dedicated and set apart for God's use and service and are purified and cleansed from the pollution of Sin And so in all that are Sanctified there is a difference between them and others For they are set apart for God while others live to themselves Psal. 4.3 The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself Yea there is a change and so a difference between them and themselves 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of our God This closely followed would find out the Parties here intended But yet we must know that in both these Senses some are Sanctified in appearance only others really and indeed 1. In Appearance only And so all the members of the visible Church that are in outward Covenant with God and bound to be Holy are called Saints and said to be Sanctified Exod. 31.13 I am the Lord that doth sanctifie you And thus Apostates are said to trample the Blood of the Covenant under foot wherewith they were Sanctified Heb. 10.29 That is externally in their separation from the World and dedication to God's Service by outward Calling and Covenant In foro externo before Men these are Sanctified yea in his external Dispensation God speaketh to such an one and of him and dealeth with him as one of his own People 2. Really and indeed So Sanctification is threefold 1. Meritorious 2. Applicatory 3. Practical 1. Meritorious Sanctification is Christ's meriting and purchasing for his Church the inward inhabitation of the Spirit and that Grace whereby they may be Sanctified So it is said Heb. 10.10 By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Iesus Christ once for all All those for whom Christ did offer himself are Sanctified in due time by virtue of Christ's offering So it is said Heb. 13.12 Iesus that he might sanctifie the people with his own Blood did suffer without the gate This Sanctification cannot be repeated or increased but was done once for all and that by one above even Jesus Christ. There needeth no addition to his Merit 2. Applicatory Sanctification is the inward renovation of the Heart of those whom Christ hath Sanctified by the Spirit of Regeneration whereby a Man is translated from Death to Life from the state of Nature to the state of Grace This is spoken of Tit. 3.5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost This is the daily Sanctifiation which with respect to the merit of Christ is wrought by the Sprit and the ministry of the Word and Sacraments 3. Practical Sanctification is that by which they for whom Christ Sanctified himself and who are renewed by the Holy Ghost and Planted into Christ by Faith do more and more Sanctifie and cleanse themselves from sin in Thought Word and Deed 1 Pet. 1.15 As he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation 1 Joh. 3.3 Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Weakning the relicks of sin and getting more readiness and preparation of Heart for all the acts of the Holy Life In the former we are passive we contribute nothing to the First little to the Second but in this we are operative Besides these two Notions to consecrate and purifie help us to understand the nature of true Sanctification 1. As to Sanctifie signifieth to Consecrate or Dedicate to God so it signifieth both the fixed inclination or the disposition of the Soul towards God as our highest Lord and chief good and accordingly a resignation of our Souls to God to live in the love of his Blessed Majesty and a Thankful Obedience to him More distinctly 1 It implyeth a Bent a tendency or fixed inclination towards God which is habitual Sanctification 2. A Resignation or giving up our selves to God by which actual Holiness is begun A constant using our selves for him by which it is continued and the continual exercise of a fervent love by which it is increased in us more and more till all be perfected in Glory And perfect Love is maintained by a perfect vision of him 2. As it signifieth to Purifie and Cleanse so it signifies the purifying of the Soul from the love of the World Omnis impuritrâ est ex mixtum vitioru A Man is impure because when he was made for God he doth prefer the base trifles of this world before his Maker and everlasting Glory And so he is not Sanctified that doth despise and disobey his Maker He despiseth him because he preferreth the most contemptible Vanity before him and doth chuse the transitory pleasure of sinning